True Treasure: Real - Life History Mystery Read Free

could say we delivered on the ammunitions part.”
    Captain Bennett chuckled, “Aye, I would have answered their prayers in the same fashion.”
    Captain Dewhurst continued, “Since we crippled their ship, they may be on the hunt for a replacement. Do not be fooled, or so trusting to let others board your vessel near sight of land.”
    “We are a ship of soldiers employed by His Majesty. If pirates are looking for a fight, we will be happy to oblige. Our mission is to chart the islands and the coast for our King, and we will do so. Nothing will stand in the way of our mission. I am not adverse to returning to England with fewer cannonballs. My men could use the entertainment.”
    Captain Dewhurst smiled. “Well then, safe voyage and God bless.”
    “The same to you, captain.”
    After Captain Dewhurst had returned to his ship, Captain Graham said to his first officer, “Muster all hands on deck.”
    As the men assembled, from the captain's deck with a fresh eye, he observed his crew. He saw men who were strong and not tired from the voyage across the sea. True naval spirit energized his crew. They were strong men willing to fight to the death for their King and country.
    He called out, “There are pirates in these waters looking to take ships with strong sails, weapons, and ammunition. We are at war against those who would do us harm for the sake of gold. Keep your eyes ever on alert as naval shipmen in the employ of defense of their country would. I know this does not have to be said. But rather it gives me the opportunity to stress how you are truly the mightiest force on God’s earth. Soldiers in King George's employ. Our mission of charting these waters and lands will enrich our country. May the pirates be no more of a threat to us than a worrisome fly. If we are approached, fire one warning. If they persist, we will see them sunk to a watery grave. That is all.”
    Captain Graham motioned for the crew to get back to their duties as his first officer fell into step beside him as he left the deck.
    His first officer added, “I have heard rumors of pirates. I cannot see as they would be any more worrisome than the French.”
    Captain Bennett chuckled at his first officer’s joke.
    “I hear pirates black their eyes and use broad swords rather than rapiers.”
    You know they say, “The thicker the blade the thicker the-”
    “ That is why the English have always preferred broad swords,” Captain Bennett interrupted.
    ”Touch é.”
    They both laughed at their jokes at the expense of the French.
    ***
    Later in the evening came the call of, “Land ho!”
    A knock at the door of Captain Bennett’s stateroom woke him from his light sleep.
    “Yes?” he called out.
    A cabin boy entered the still dark room, “Captain? The island is in sight.”
    “Skirt around it quietly. Who has the night watch?”
    “Grimly does, sir.”
    “Pull four others to watch and listen as we pass the island. Have the officer in charge on deck head into the port of the mainland for now.”
    “Yes sir.”
    It was best to move as quickly and quietly around the island as fast as they could while they were under the cover of darkness. Of course, the pirates would have to be dealt with once they began the survey of the islands. First he preferred to pull into the port on the mainland and gather some more information on the pirates.
    How many, modes of attack, where they were expected to be hiding. A good defense was always a prepared offense. Know your enemy. Decimating the pirates may be a way to curry further favor with the King.
    At dawn, the ship approached the port city of Drake Bay named for Sir Francis Drake who had discovered it some three hundred years before. It was breathtaking. The tops of the mountain peaks shot through a carpet of wispy clouds. Broad waterfalls, with whitewater could be seen even from this distance. Tiered groves of coffee and cocoa berry trees climbed the steppes of the lower mountain sides, which led down